Argentina, Brazil welcome ‘rescue’ of Venezuelan opposition figures from Caracas embassy

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Argentina and Brazil released statements Wednesday welcoming the “rescue” of five Venezuelan opposition figures who had been sheltering for more than a year at the Argentine Embassy in Caracas.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that the leading opposition members, who sought refuge at the Argentine diplomatic residence in the Venezuelan capital in March 2024 after warrants were issued for their arrest, were now on US soil.

Argentine presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni, during a press conference, thanked the US for "the successful extraction operation" of the asylum seekers, saying the outcome resulted from confidential conversations initiated "at the beginning of the Trump era."

Adorni acknowledged that the operation was the result of confidential efforts lasting months and confirmed that “it was not the result of negotiations,” alluding to direct dialogue with the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The Brazilian government said the development "ends this episode and the drama lived" by these individuals "for more than 400 days."

In a statement, Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that it had "managed countless times, at the highest level," to secure the necessary safe-conduct passes for their departure from Venezuela and had offered air transport, clarifying, however, that its requests "were not met" by the Venezuelan government.

On April 28, the opposition members had sent a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva requesting urgent measures to ensure their safe exit from Venezuela, after being unable to leave the embassy for over 400 days.

Rubio said Tuesday that the US led the successful “rescue” operation.

"The U.S. welcomes the successful rescue of all hostages held by the Maduro regime at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas," he posted on X.

He did not elaborate on the means by which the group departed Venezuela, and the Venezuelan government has not yet commented on the incident.